California legal term
credible threat in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “credible threat” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the California criminal code.
What does “credible threat” mean in California criminal law?
“credible threat” means a verbal or written threat, including a threat performed through the use of an electronic communication device, or a threat implied by a pattern of conduct or a combination of verbal, written, or electronically communicated statements and conduct, including threats to a person’s pet, service animal, emotional support animal, or horse, made with the intent to place the person that is the target of the threat in reasonable fear for their safety, or the safety of their family, and made with the apparent ability to carry out the threat so as to cause the person who is the t (Cal. Penal Code § 646.9)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.